JEWISH COMMUNITY

CENTER OF

LONG BEACH ISLAND

E-LETTER

January 9, 2026

20 Tevet 5786

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OF THE SHABBAT REMINDER

A TORAH MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI

Every time I start the Book of Exodus, I get excited. The Story of the fallen people who are redeemed by God and a prophet, is familiar, comfortable, and epic. And even though there are scary parts, and brutal parts, and unfair parts, and sad parts, in the end, a people, our people, is born.

The story is in our heads, our kishkas, and in our genes. The story is who we are, and we are the story.

But I’ve often wondered why our people had to suffer so much. Why couldn’t God just make us God’s people without first having us subjected to hundreds of years of slavery? I learned one answer this week as I was reading a blog on The Times of Israel by Rabbi Neil Zuckerman. According to Rabbi Zuckerman the Lubavitcher Rabbi identified the Jewish pattern of falling and then rising as “Yeridah l’tzorech aliya” – “descent for the sake of ascent.” What looks like oppression and failure from the outside can actually lead to growth within. According to Rabbi Zuckerman, the “…darkness [of slavery]becomes the soil from which Jewish renewal begins.”

It is the “put carbon under enough heat and pressure and it becomes a diamond” theory. While I can almost understand this concept, I still think that a God Who spoke and created the world could have come up with a better way to make us better. But, then again, I am just a lonely Rabbi on a beautiful, but thin, barrier Island in New Jersey. Who am I to question? Just a thought.

Back to this week’s Torah portion, Shemot. A pivotal moment in the Book of Exodus, indeed in the whole history of the Jewish people, is when God calls out to Moses at the Burning Bush and Moses responds “Hineni!”, “Here I am!”(and I am ready to do your bidding). With that one word, and the acceptance of personal responsibility, the biblical narrative moves forward at a quick pace.

But, in truth, while Moses is the only person in the Exodus story to actually say the word “Hineni”, the Text is chock full of “Hineni-ites”. These are people who did not specifically utter the word “Hineni” but, who, through their actions showed their “Hinenious” intent. A few examples are: 1) The Hebrew Midwives, who refused to kill the Hebrew babies.; 2) Moses’ mother, Yocheved, who decided to have another child and then hid the baby Moses and then sent him in a basket down the Nile River; 3) Miriam, who follows Moses down the Nile to ensure his safety; 4) Pharaoh’s daughter, who decides to adopt the Hebrew baby she finds in the Nile and names him Moses; and 5) Aaron, who drops everything and runs to meet Moses when the Prophet returns to Egypt. These righteous people do not utter the “special” word, but they do pursue “holy” action. Indeed, our tradition consistently follows the precept that it is the actions of the individual that count and not what he or she says.

Perhaps, as Rabbi Zuckerman and the Lubavitcher Rabbi say, the fall is necessary to foster growth but, without the Hinenious actions of each of these people, the story does not move forward. If the story does not move forward, our people do not get redeemed, and we would not be here today. My response to this thought? “Oy”.

The descent may be a part of God’s plan, but the ascent will only happen if we are people of action. I hope that I say “Hineni” whenever the time comes. What about you, dear reader?

Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay

Candle Lighting Time

(Southern Ocean County)

Shabbat Eve

Friday, January 9, 2026

4:32 PM

JOIN US

FOR

SERVICES

Friday

January 9, 2026

7:30 PM

ON ZOOM ONLY

Here is

your invitation from

Rabbi Jay to join Services

on Zoom

FRIDAY NIGHT

Saturday

January 10, 2026

9:00 AM

IN PERSON AND

ON ZOOM

Here is

your invitation from

Rabbi Jay to join

Zoom services

SATURDAY MORNING

TORAH READING

Parashat Shemot

Exodus 1:1-6:1

Shemot (“Names”) is the first Torah reading in the Book of Exodus. It opens describing the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. Moses is born, placed in a basket on the Nile, and adopted into Pharaoh’s household. He later encounters God at a burning bush and begins his mission of demanding that Pharoah let the Israelites go.

Here is the Portion

HAFTORAH

Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23

The prophet Isaiah speaks to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel about the reasons for their exile and gives them hope for future redemption.

Here is the Haftorah-A

Here is the Haftorah -B

TORAH QUESTION

What lessons can we learn from the midwives, Shifrah and Puah, who defied Pharaoh’s orders and refused to drown all baby boys born to enslaved women?

WEEKDAY SERVICES

Ma'ariv Service

7:30 PM

Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

MA'ARIV

Monday - Friday

Shacharit Service

8:15 AM

Sunday at 9:00 AM

Here is your invitation from Rabbi Jay to

join Zoom services:

SHACHARIT

Rabbi Jay will be in his office at the JCC after services on Saturdays. The Rabbi is also available at any time or place to schedule in-person, or virtual meetings at your convenience. The Rabbi can be reached by call/text 973-865-9534 or email at Mjayrabrab@gmail.com

A great time was had at the JCC of LBI 60's New Years Eve Party. Great appies and dinner, lots of dancing to DJ Donny Pesce and friends enjoying each other as we welcomed in the new year. Thanks to the committee for putting it all together: Suzie Geier, Jon Geier, Lorna Klein, Bill Klein, Joyce Levine, Paul Levine, Bonni Rubin-Sugarman, Ron Buskirk and Diane Buskirk, Chair. Photos by Lorna Klein

BRUNCH WITH THE PIG AT UNCLE WILL'S

January WAX Brunch with Diane Buskirk, Lorna Klein, Stacey Vreeland, Rose Valentine, Helen Gross, Bobbie Kaplan, Sue Naidoff, Eileen Powitz and "The Pig".

SUNDAY, January 11

Pickleball

10 AM - 1 PM

******

TUESDAY, January 13

Pickleball

10 AM - 1 PM

*****

WEDNESDAY, January 14

Mah jongg & Canasta

12:30 PM

THURSDAY, January 15

Pickleball

10 AM - 1 PM

Torah Study

11:00 AM

Dr. LekhaTull

Everything you want to know about Medicinal Cannabis

following services

7:45 PM

FRIDAY, January 16

Studying the Prophets

Following morning minyan

Thursday, January 15

Dr. LehkaTull

“Everything you want to know about Medicinal Cannabis”

7:45 PM after services

Friday, January 16

Shabbat Family Dinner

6:30 PM

Wednesday, January 21

Book Club

4:00 PM

Saturday, January 24

Cholentfest after services

Sunday, January 25

PJP “Purim in the Works of European Artists”

1:00 PM

Friday, January 30

Special WAX Shabbat Program

7:30 PM

CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY TORAH STUDY

CLICK HERE FOR THURSDAY NIGHT PROGRAM ON CANNABIS

PICKLEBALL

Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

10 - 1

MAH JONGG & CANASTA

WEDNESDAYS

12:30 PM TO 4:00 PM

CELEBRATING PURIM WITH

SHALACH MANOS

THE JCC OF LBI WAY

This year, Purim will be celebrated on the evening of Monday March 2nd, through Tuesday March 3rd, 2026. We are making it very easy to share the wonderful mitzvah of participating in Shalach Manos.

This tradition derives from the Book of Esther. It is meant to ensure that everyone has enough food for the Purim feast held later in the day, and to increase love and friendship as a counter to Haman's assertion that the Jewish people are characterized by strife and disunity.

This year, more than ever, we understand the importance of supporting our Jewish Community. As we know, our congregation is a little bit of an anomaly, with many of our members living outside of Long Beach Island and sending the traditional Shalach Manos package would be a costly challenge.

With that being said, we came up with a Shalach Manos Campaign in a way to support both our JCC Family and our beloved Homeland, The State of Israel.

We will be supporting Jewish National Fund by purchasing and planting individual trees in the name of each of our congregants. Additionally, we will be purchasing our very own Garden in the name of the JCC of LBI.

Your contribution of $136 ensures that each member of the congregation and the employees of the JCC will receive a Purim Package. If you choose not to participate in giving to the entire congregation, although we hope you do, kindly send us a list of those to whom you would like to receive a Purim Package. Each name will be $18 with a minimum of 3.

The money raised from this years Shalach Manos package, will not only support JNF but also the very important task of supporting our synagogue in meeting its financial needs. We are looking for 100% participation to aide in these very important causes.

Please complete the attached form and return it to the office by Sunday February 1st 2026. No orders will be accepted after that date. PLEASE NOTE: Shalach Manos packages will be mailed. If you do not wish to receive a package, check the box on the order form and submit it to the office

Thank you for your continued support of The JCC of LBI’s programs and activities. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Stacie Podos Shalach Manos Chair. ------- staciepodos@gmail.com------914-588-2751

Ken Podos Shalach Manos Co-Chair----kenpodos@gmail.com----914-588-0393

CLICK HERE FOR ORDER FORM

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY FOR THE DINNER

WAX BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Wednesday, January 21st at 4:00 pm

Discussion Leader: Debby Schweighardt

How to Lose your Mother: A daughter’s Memoir

By Molly Jong-Fast

Molly Jong-Fast is the only child of a famous woman, writer Erica Jong, whose sensational book Fear of Flying launched her into second-wave feminist stardom. She grew up yearning for a connection with her dreamy, glamorous, just out of reach mother, who always seemed to be heading somewhere that wasn’t with Molly. When, in 2023, Erica was diagnosed with dementia just as Molly’s husband discovered he had a rare cancer, Jong-Fast was catapulted into a transformative year.

How to Lose Your Mother is a compulsively readable memoir about an intense mother–daughter relationship, a sometimes chaotic upbringing with a fame-hungry parent, and the upheavals that challenge our hard-won adulthood. A pitch-perfect balance of acceptance and rage, humor and heart, How to Lose Your Mother tells a universal story of loss alongside a singular story of a literary life. This is a memoir that will stand alongside the classics of the genre.

We are very excited to add to the WAX Gift Shop items from local merchants and artisans. Stop in to look and buy one (or more) of these beautiful pieces for your home, as a gift or just for yourself.

The gift shop is open during office hours M-F 10 - 2.

CONGREGATION NEWS

The following names will be read by the Rabbi on Friday evening:

Arnold Brasch

Rose Dondershine*

Margie Miller

Katy Poster*

Hilda Rich

Abner Silver*

Marilyn Silvershein

Sam Beckerman

MaryAnn Blum

William Carey

Laura B. Dicicco

Leo Labran

Shirley Slomovitz

Bruce Steinberg*

Irene Steinberg*

Matthew Steinberg*

William Steinberg*

Zachary Steinberg*

Madeline Brinberg

Beatrice Chazin

Jeanne Goldstein

Robert Heller

Morgan Himelstein

Mark Hirschfeld

Edna Katz

William Markowitz*

Miriam Sadon

Edward R. Spencer*

Rose Kanis

Julia Weiss

Betty Berger*

Ira Berger

Barbara Black

Bette Cohen*

Stanton Einhorn

Mark Fisch

Lenore Light

Albert Margent

Jean Schiller

Bennett Silvershein

Betty Glassman Sitzer*

Rebecca Weinstein

Beatrice Bernstein

Elaine Dover

Albert Fagan*

Barbara Frank

Emanuel Karpoff

We encourage you to join us on the day of your loved one’s yahrzeit. In the morning, the service is about ½ hour beginning at 8:15 and in the evening at 7:30 until about 7:45. Rabbi will be glad to say the traditional El Malei Rachamim prayer for you, which is recited during the funeral.

CARING COMMITTEE

This committee acts as a support system for congregation members facing illness and other personal situations that need to be addressed.

Please contact Chairperson,

Debby Schweighardt

if you are in need of assistance or if you know of a JCC member that needs our help.

973-634-5349

Kenneth Podos

January 10

Ellen Bernstein

January 11

Joan Ely

January 11

Barbara Hirsh

January 11

Marilyn Hailperin

January 12

Kenneth Abend

January 14

Steven R. Sher

January 14

Gerard Genna

January 15

Justin Brasch

January 16

Lori Israelite

January 16

Louis & Cheryl Celebre

January 13

46th Anniversary

Jill and Cliff Denker in Portugal

SHARE YOUR NEWS

AND PICTURES

CONTACT:

rvalen1963@aol.co

Hana Cofsky

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

PAVERS

Inscribe a paver at the front entrance to the building

8" X 4", 8" X 8" and 12" X 12"

SEE UPDATED ORDER FORM:

PAVER FORM

Become a permanent part of the JCC landscape.

Purchase a personalized paving stone

in honor of your family or in memory of a loved one.

Please contact Diane Hoffman

with your order or with any questions:

dihoff1@aol.com

PRAYER BOOKS

There are still High Holiday Prayer Books and Chumashim available to be purchased in memory or honor of someone or something. The cost of a Prayer Book is $72 each and $120 for an Eitz Hayim Chumash. The donation includes an affirmation sticker in the book and an acknowledgement letter or letters.

See Order form here: Prayer Book

TRIBUTES

SEND ONE OF OUR TRIBUTES IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY OF

See order form here: TRIBUTES

TREE OF LIFE

Add a leaf (leaves) to our beautiful Tree of Life located in the Social Hall. See the order form here: TREE OF LIFE

Bronze Leaf $90

Silver Leaf $126

Gold :Leaf $180

ENDOWMENT FUND

Herb and Selma z”l Shapiro established the first individual Endowment Fund in memory of his father, as part of the JCC’s Endowment Fund portfolio.

Since then, three additional individual Endowment Funds have been established. Other members are encouraged to also provide for the future of our JCC by establishing similar funds. Please consider adding to this number.

A donation of at least $50,000 to the endowment fund will allow the donor to name one of the funds as the donor wishes. All such named funds will be joined together to be part of the Endowment Fund portfolio.

Endowment funds are necessary to ensure the continuation and well being of our congregation. All members are encouraged to help this important effort by contributing to this portfolio, whether as a specific named individual fund, or as a general donation. The donation can be spread over one, two, or three years, and can be paid via check, donation of appreciated stock, wills, or from the RMD of your IRA or 401K account. Your gift to the fund can be sent to the JCC Office. Please mark your check accordingly.

YAHRZEIT PLAQUES

Space is available for memorial plaques on the yahrzeit boards in the Sanctuary.

Here is the order form:

YAHRZEIT

KOL HAKAVOD

Please consider being a part of this campaign to supplement the clergy needs of our congregation. This is a separate, voluntary commitment and is additional to our low annual dues obligation. HERE IS THE LINK TO BRING UP THE DONATION FORM KOL HAKAVOD

2025 MEMBERSHIP FORMS

Your support is so important to the continued success of the JCC.

Here is form for renewal:

RENEW NOW

And if you have been reading our Shabbat Reminder and other communications and have not yet joined our congregation, here is the new member form:

JOIN NOW

BE A PART OF THE WOMEN'S AUXILLARY

2025 DUES FORM HERE

JCC FUNDS

Scroll down to see the new Ner Tamid Fund

Your gift to the JCC supports our Clergy, our Congregation and the Community.

ENDOWMENT FUND

This fund was established to assure the continuity of our JCC, and our ability to continue providing a full-service congregation to serve the Jewish people of the area. While a donation of any amount is encouraged, a donation of at least $50,000 allows the donor to name a special or specific Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a specific person event, or family.

GENERAL FUND

Donations to this fund are not earmarked but placed in the general administrative account. Donations to this fund can be in honor or memory of a person, event, or family.

KOL HAKAVOD FUND

Donations to this campaign supplement the clergy needs of our congregation.

RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND

This fund, managed by the rabbi, allows donors to enable the rabbi to do the work of tzedakah in response to the needs of individuals, organizations and the community.

ZENA & JERRY JAY KIDDISH FUND

The Zena and Jerry Jay Kiddush Fund was established in memory of Rabbi Jay's parents to help provide funds for our Saturday morning kiddushes.

NER TAMID FUND

The Ner Tamid Fund was established in 2025 as part of the JCC’s 75^th Anniversary Celebration. Its purpose is to fund necessary maintenance or improvement of our beautiful JCC building as well as the Parsonage. To ensure that the JCC remains an Eternal Light for the Jewish Community on and off the island and in Southern Ocean County generally, please consider making a separate donation to the Ner Tamid Fund, or allocating a small portion of your High Holiday donation to that fund.